Since its launch in 2009, Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2015 represents the sixth installment in the active game series where players keep to the beat and closely follow the colorful silhouette dancers. This game keeps on giving more content and unlockables as players dance through the tracks by themselves or with up to eight friends plus extra fitness and karaoke gameplay.
Developed by Ubisoft Paris/Millan and published by Ubisoft, Just Dance 2015 expand the controller options to three to get more players involved.
The Hype
With more than 50 million copies of Just Dance titles in homes around the world, our players are as important as ever, and the new features in Just Dance 2015 bring people together in more ways than ever before.
For the first time ever, you too can be in the game. The all-new Community Remix feature puts players in the global spotlight by allowing them to become a Just Dance coach that players everywhere can dance along to.
Just Dance 2015 also introduces Challenger mode where players will be able to compete against their past performances or challenge friends anywhere to beat their score, even if they can’t play at the same time. Plus, this year we’re bringing even more excitement to World Dance Floor, the online multiplayer mode.
The Reality
Veteran players get some beginning bonuses as the game continues using the following music track list (includes edited versions of songs to keep an all ages format):
- “Bang Bang” – Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
- “She Looks So Perfect” – 5 Seconds of Summer
- “Problem” – Ariana Grande Ft. Iggy Azalea and Big Sean
- “4×4” – Miley Cyrus
- “Best Song Ever” – One Direction
- “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
- “Till I Find You” Austin Mahone
- “Addicted To You” – Avicii
- “Black Widow” – Iggy Azalea Ft. Rita Ora
- “Maps” – Maroon 5
- “Birthday” – Katy Perry
- “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga
- “Built For This” – Becky G
- “Holding Out For A Hero” – Bonnie Tyler
- “Summer” – Calvin Harris
- “Tetris” – Dancing Bros.
- “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” – Dead Or Alive
- “Let It Go” – Disney’s Frozen
- “Burn” – Ellie Goulding
- “Bailando” – Enrique Iglesias Ft. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona
- “Mahna Mahna” – Frankie Bostello
- “Never Can Say Goodbye” – Gloria Gaynor
- “I Love It” – Icona Pop Ft. Charli XCX
- “You’re On My Mind” – Imposs Ft. J. Perry
- “Love Me Again” – John Newman
- “Only You (And You Alone)” – Love Letter
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- “Get Low” – Dillon Francis & DJ Snake
- “Diamonds” – Rihanna
- “Me And My Broken Heart” – Rixton
- “Walk This Way” – Run-DMC & Aerosmith
- “Don’t Worry Be Happy” – The Bench Men
- “Epic Sirtaki” – The Bouzouki’s
- “Speedy Gonzalez” – Los Pimientos Locos
- “Macarena” (Bayside Boys Mix) – The Girly Team
- “Love Is All” – The Sunlight Shakers
- “It’s My Birthday” – will.i.am Ft. Cody Wise
- “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” – Ylvis
- “XMas Tree” – Bollywood Santa
- “Fatima” – Cheb Salama
Music track choice is very good so most tracks will warrants additional plays. Developers also offer some nice enhancements. Progression to unlock avatars and animations adds some variety as does the sing along karaoke option. Calorie workouts and the community remix option, which features other player performances worked into the song (players appear instead of avatars), boost the replay value as well.
Performance is evaluated in points with a generic text grade (e.g. “Perfect” or “OK”) and the technical performance works smoothly expect for the occasional snafu. The progression is worth it as players can unlock various items to enhance the experience.
Initially players are presented with an unavoidable challenge (unless you restart) to get oriented. Players are not overwhelmed with various modes and instead have multiple ways to re-experience the same songs through two methods – online play and competitive play. Modes include Trio, Dance Mashup, World Dancefloor, and Just Dance VIP featuring recording capabilities that make performances into playable videos.
On the technical side, it is very important to optimize the PlayStation camera for camera control and web connectivity for online play. This first camera option is the only hands free choice and requires strong lighting for optimal performance. Players still have the PlayStation Move controller option as well, which seemed to be a little more accurate for my kids, but didn’t make much of a difference for the adults. Would assume a next-gen console version of Just Dance Kids is on the way.
Don’t have the camera or PS Move? Try the third and most interesting control option – the Just Dance 2015 Motion Controller App (available on most smartphones) works like the PS Move to track player movements.
The multiplayer gameplay is entertaining for participants and viewers. It’s great all ages fun with many benefits. Players can easily share performances on social media and even earn special highlight in the community area for being the most popular.
Menu navigation is deeper, so it’s occasionally harder to find modes and options. The game definitely works to minimize navigation time that basically split between offline and online gameplay.
Additional downloadable content (DLC) songs include “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus, “Funhouse” by P!nk, “Want U Back” by Cher Lloyd ft. Astro, “C’mon” by Ke$ha and “Kiss You” by One Direction plus many more on the way.
Also available on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U or Wii (the last Wii game release in North America). Just Dance Now ad-supported app was also released as an alternative version to the console version and works when connected to a TV, computer or tablet plus Chromecast.
Just Dance Now, which is an ad-supported app version of the game available on Google Play and the App Store for a free download. No need for a console here, because players can connect to the game on a TV, computer, or tablet.
Just Dance 2015 retails for $49.99; it’s $29.99 at Amazon
Source: Reviewer copy provided by publisher
What I Like: recording capabilities, social media sharing options, competitive play from a worldwide player cache, expanded controllers, improved visuals/dance experiences, hands free camera option (with good lighting)
What Needs Improvement: rare unexpected gameplay stoppage, camera tracking